Shades of Meaning: Ways to Move

Choose action words that show exactly how someone moves.

Action words have shades too. 'Walk', 'tiptoe', 'march', 'stomp', and 'stroll' are all ways to move on your feet, but each paints a different picture. You tiptoe when you are being quiet. You stomp when you are angry. You stroll when you are relaxed.

You march in a parade. Read: 'Sam stomped up the stairs. ' That one word tells you Sam is upset, without the author saying so. Authors choose exact action words to show how a character feels and moves. Picture each one in your mind.

• 1Action words can be close but different.
• 2Each one paints a different picture.
• 3Exact verbs can show feelings.